TopCashback

What is TopCashback

TopCashback is a popular online cash back platform that allows users to earn money back on their purchases from thousands of online retailers. The core purpose of the service is to act as a referral gateway. When a user clicks through the TopCashback website to a partner store and makes a purchase, the store pays TopCashback a commission. Uniquely, TopCashback passes 100% of this commission directly to the user. The company makes its revenue from separate advertising placements on its site and occasional bonuses from retailers. Founded in the UK in 2005, TopCashback has since expanded globally, including a significant presence in the United States, and now serves over 25 million members worldwide.

TopCashback Features

• 100% Cashback Commission: TopCashback's main feature is its promise to give 100% of the affiliate commission it earns from retailers back to its members. This often results in higher cash back rates compared to competitors.
• Extensive Retailer Network: The platform partners with over 7,000 online stores, covering a vast range of categories including fashion, electronics, travel, home goods, and more.
• Multiple Payout Options: Members can withdraw their earnings in various ways, including direct deposit to a bank account (ACH), PayPal, or as a gift card.
• Payout Bonuses: To encourage users to withdraw their earnings, TopCashback often provides a bonus (e.g., 5% extra) when members choose to receive their payout as a gift card for popular retailers like Amazon or Walmart.
• Browser Extension: A helpful browser add-on that alerts users when they are on a website that offers cash back, allowing them to activate the offer with a single click without first visiting the TopCashback site.
• Mobile App: A fully functional mobile application for both iOS and Android devices, enabling users to shop and earn cash back on the go.
• No Membership Fees: The service is completely free to join and use, with no hidden charges or fees deducted from user earnings.

TopCashback Pricing Plans

TopCashback operates on a completely free model. There are no premium tiers or subscription plans for users. The service is accessible to everyone at no cost. The company generates revenue through other channels, such as sponsored advertisements on its website and special bonuses paid by retailers for driving high volumes of traffic. This business model allows them to pass on the full commission to their members. There is only one type of account: a standard free membership that provides access to all features.

TopCashback Free Plan

TopCashback offers a single, comprehensive free plan to all its members. There is no paid version or trial period because the entire service is free of charge. The free plan includes:

• Full access to cash back offers from all 7,000+ partner retailers.
• The ability to earn and withdraw 100% of the available commission.
• All payout methods, including bank transfers, PayPal, and gift cards with potential bonuses.
• Use of the browser extension and mobile app.

How to use TopCashback

Getting started with TopCashback is a simple process. Here is a typical workflow:

1. Create an Account: Go to the TopCashback website and sign up for a free account using your email address.
2. Find a Retailer: Before you shop online, search for the store you want to buy from on the TopCashback website or mobile app.
3. Click Through: Once you find the retailer's page on TopCashback, click the 'Get Cashback' or similar button. This will redirect you to the retailer's official website, placing a tracking cookie in your browser.
4. Shop as Normal: Complete your purchase on the retailer's site as you normally would. Do not close the browser tab that opened from the TopCashback link.
5. Track Your Earnings: Within a few hours to a few days, your purchase will appear in your TopCashback account as 'Pending'.
6. Wait for Confirmation: The cash back will remain 'Pending' until the retailer confirms the purchase, which happens after the return period has passed. This can take several weeks or months.
7. Withdraw Your Money: Once the retailer pays the commission to TopCashback, your earnings will become 'Payable'. You can then withdraw your money using your preferred payout method.

Pros and Cons of TopCashback

Pros:

• Highest Cash Back Guarantee: Passing on 100% of the commission often leads to the best rates.
• Completely Free: No sign-up or ongoing fees for members.
• Wide Variety of Stores: A massive selection of over 7,000 retailers.
• Flexible Payouts: Offers multiple ways to get your money, including bonuses on gift cards.
• No Minimum Payout: You can withdraw any amount that is 'Payable'.

Cons:

• Slow Payout Times: It can take a long time for cash back to become 'Payable' due to retailer confirmation processes.
• Tracking Issues: Occasionally, purchases may not track correctly, requiring a manual claim to be filed.
• Customer Service: Resolving missing cash back claims can sometimes be a slow process.

TopCashback integrations

TopCashback does not offer integrations in the traditional sense of connecting with other software like a CRM or project management tool. Its primary integration is with web browsers through the TopCashback Browser Extension.

• Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge): This extension integrates directly into your web browser. When you visit a partner retailer's website, it displays a notification, allowing you to activate cash back with one click. This saves you the step of having to visit the TopCashback website first.

TopCashback Alternatives

• Rakuten: One of the largest competitors. It is known for its user-friendly interface and frequent sign-up bonuses. Rakuten pays out quarterly via PayPal or a physical check.
• Honey: A browser extension owned by PayPal that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout. It also offers a cash back program called Honey Gold, which can be redeemed for gift cards.
• BeFrugal: A direct competitor that also offers high cash back rates, a large selection of stores, and a guarantee to match any higher cash back rate found on other sites.
• Ibotta: While it started with a focus on in-store grocery rebates, Ibotta has expanded to include online shopping cash back through its app and browser extension, competing with traditional cash back sites.

TopCashback API

TopCashback does not provide a public API for general developers to create their own applications or integrate cash back services. However, it does offer a Product Feed API for approved partners and affiliates. This API is designed for comparison websites, media partners, and large publishers to access and display TopCashback's offers and retailer data on their own platforms. To gain access, interested parties must apply to become a partner through the TopCashback website. There is no publicly available documentation or method for individual developers to obtain an API key.

TopCashback Affiliate program

TopCashback does not have a traditional affiliate program for marketers. Instead, it runs a robust Refer-a-Friend program.

• How it works: Every member receives a unique referral link. When you share this link with a friend and they sign up, you become eligible for a bonus.
• Commission Rate: The bonus is a fixed cash amount (e.g., $10, $15, or more, depending on current promotions) that is paid to the referrer once the new member earns their first $10 in payable cash back. The new member often receives a sign-up bonus as well.
• How to Join: All members are automatically enrolled in the Refer-a-Friend program. You can find your unique referral link in your account dashboard under the 'Tell-a-Friend' section.
• Getting Paid: The referral bonus is added to your TopCashback account earnings and can be withdrawn along with your regular cash back once it becomes payable.